ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy

Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic

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Health Care

Everyone depends on health care products and services to stay well and live, work, and participate in our communities, and research indeed suggests that there is a reciprocal relationship between employment and health. However, for many Americans with disabilities, access to adequate and affordable health care coverage and services are significant obstacles to independent living, employment, and full inclusion in society. Thus, ODEP actively seeks to integrate health care issues across its employment policy efforts.

The following provide more information about health care and its connection to disability employment and the work ODEP and its partners are undertaking in this area:

Employment and HIV/AIDS  DOL is one of six Federal agencies responsible for implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. ODEP plays a key role in DOL's efforts to carry out the Strategy, focusing in particular on improving employment opportunities and outcomes and reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

Health Care and Youth Transitions  As youth transition from secondary education to post-secondary education and employment, many are also transitioning from pediatric health care to adult health care settings. Youth with disabilities may face unique challenges during these transitions. ODEP and its partners examine the challenges that youth, including youth with disabilities, encounter and seek to provide tools and resources that facilitate successful transitions.

Youth Transitions Collaborative/The Center for Health Care Transition Improvement Alliance  In conjunction with its alliance partners, ODEP seeks to provide stakeholders with information, technical assistance, and access to resources to build the capacity of regional and national organizations to empower youth and young adults with disabilities to create a self-directed path to integrated employment and optimal health and well-being.

Youth ACT Rhode Island Project  As participants in the national Youth Action Council on Transition (YouthACT), a team of youth-adult partners in Rhode Island works to bring the youth voice of their state into disability awareness and civil rights. One important piece of this goal is to ensure that youth with disabilities develop their understanding of healthcare transition, which the team promotes through planning and contributing to workshops at the annual Dare to Dream Leadership Conference. Their work also includes presentations and collaboration with students, teachers, nonprofits, transition academies, and the Rhode Island Department of Health.

LEAD Center Employment, Health Care, and Disability Policy Updates  Published on a monthly basis, the Policy Update is intended to provide stakeholders with information about relevant policy developments regarding Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and related topics with a focus on improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND) Alliance  ODEP and NOND partnered to conduct outreach, education, and technical assistance activities to promote the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities in the health care sector.